Basic Function:

The successful applicant will carry out research that will increase our understanding of how crop genetics control root and rhizosphere microbial phenotypes, and how these interact with the environment to deliver an integrated crop resilience to climate stress. The impact of plant-soil interactions on the capacity of soil microbial communities to carry out important biogeochemical cycling functions, including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, will be assessed on cereal, potato, and legume annual crops. This work will be carried out as part of the Roots2Res (Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change) project, which is funded by the European Union Horizon 2021 Research & Innovation programme, and comprises a multidisciplinary team of plant physiologists, agronomists, geneticists, microbiologists, soil scientist, breeders, and modellers from twenty-two transdisciplinary project partners across thirteen countries. The aim of Root2Res, is to generate new tools to help understand the genetic control of root and rhizosphere functions associated with adaptation to climate change in rotational systems composed of annual crops and elucidate how these traits interact with the rhizosphere microbiome to deliver more sustainable crop cultivars.

Background:

The position will be primarily based in the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-use Department in Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Teagasc. Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on soils and environment related research, and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, including soil health, soil-plant interactions, biodiversity, nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, agroecology, and land use. Johnstown Castle is well equipped with laboratory, greenhouse and field facilities to support a wide and innovative research programme, as well as 190 hectares of farmland. It has a wide-ranging and active programme on soil and plant microbiomes in agricultural systems.

• Assess the composition and functioning of microbial communities within root and rhizosphere of annual crops, in the context of plant and climatic factors.

• Assess the impact of plant-soil interactions on the capacity of soil microbial communities to carry out important biogeochemical cycling functions, including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling.

• Assist in the sampling and management of experimental trials to meet project objectives

• Engage with partners from collaborating organisations, and coordinate sample transfer, to carry out soil microbial and soil function analyses and interpretation.

• Contribute to the development, optimization, standardization and validation of techniques for soil microbiological analysis.

• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.

• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.

• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.